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Perez slated for next Double-A rehab start

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

MILWAUKEE -- Left-hander Martin Perez, at Double-A Frisco on a medical rehabilitation assignment, will make his next start on Saturday against Corpus Christi. Perez, who allowed one run in four innings on Monday against Midland, is scheduled to pitch five innings.

The Rangers will evaluate him after that start. Perez could be close to being an option at the Major League level, but he will likely need two or three more outings. Perez was hit by a line drive in Spring Training and has been sidelined since March 4 with a broken left arm.

"It was an arm injury, but not a shoulder or elbow," general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's not so much a health deal, it's more about effectiveness and how sharp he is. The biggest thing is how he's doing and how the big league club is doing."

Daniels said it's not automatic that Perez would be added to the big league roster when he's at full strength. He could be optioned to the Minor Leagues and continue pitching there until there is a need at the Major League level. Daniels also said Perez could be an option for the bullpen if there is a need, but the preference is to keep him stretched out to provide depth for the starting rotation.

Right now, the Rangers are committed to rookie right-handers Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm in their rotation. Tepesch is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in his last two starts, but he is still scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Astros. The Rangers have an off-day on Thursday, so they could push Tepesch back, but manager Ron Washington said they aren't going to do that.

"You have to allow these guys [to have] some bad outings and see how they go through it," Washington said. "There's no perfection in baseball. You're going to have adversity, so you want to see how they work through it. They don't need to be looking over their shoulder. They have enough concerns trying to get out Major League hitters."